James Rodriguez Shines As Colombia Smash Poland

Colombia keep their hopes of qualifying from Group H at the 2018 World Cup alive courtesy of a commanding 3-0 victory over eliminated Poland at the Kazan Arena.

The 22-year-old enjoyed his first taste of World Cup action on Monday as he impressed after coming on as an 80th minute substitute in the 2-1 victory over Tunisia.

Los Cafeteros scored their opening goal through Yerry Mina in the 43rd minute after the Barcelona defender found the back of the net with his head following a delightful ball into the area from James Rodriguez.

Poland entered the World Cup ranked highest of the four teams in Group H at eighth but ended up being the first team out of contention for the knockouts with a lacklustre performance in their first two matches.

After a quiet spell in the clash, Yerry Mina finally broke the deadlock for Colombia five minutes before the break with a clinical header inside the box following a teasing cross from James Rodriguez, 0-1. "But we treat Colombia as a whole team, even if they have such a great player".

Desperate for the equaliser, Poland exposed themselves to counter-attacks whenever they ventured forward.

Quintero played creator in the 70th minute and Falcao turned the last defender before stroking the ball past Szczesny with the outside of his boot for his first World Cup strike.

"It's very important for us, for Colombia, but we have to continue in this way and fight until the end".

"Many things did not go as they should today, during this World Cup".

Their offensive play on Sunday appeared limited to launching long balls towards Lewandowski, who often had to fall back in the hope of receiving more service.

The pressure is now on, not just for Rodriguez, but in the knowledge that Jose Nestor Pekerman's six-and-a-half-year stint - only three other coaches at the World Cup have been in place longer - in charge would have a huge stain should Colombia lose against a Poland side ranked eighth by Federation Internationale de Football Association and also needing a result. Colombia could go through with a draw if Japan loses to Poland on Thursday.

Football fans have brutally reminded Robert Lewandowski of a tweet he sent to his Bayern Munich team-mate James Rodriguez in December of previous year about the upcoming World Cup.

The Poles manufactured a chance against the run of play a few minutes later.

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England will now play Belgium in Kaliningrad on Thursday with the victor of that match advancing from the group in first place. The Group A winners will play the Group B runner-up, after which Group B winners will play Group A's second place finisher.

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Belgium unchanged for Tunisia clash at World Cup
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